Hong Kong, 4 Apr (ZXS) -- Hong Kong has taken a multi-pronged approach to enhance young people's sense of pride and sense of ownership of the Chinese nation

– Interview with Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Mak Mei-kuen

China News Agency reporter Liu Dawei

"In the face of an increasingly complex geopolitical situation, we in Hong Kong should understand the importance of national security." On the eve of the National Security Education Day, Mak Meijuan, director of the Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau (Mingying Bureau) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, bluntly said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that national security education is "imminent."

"In the face of an increasingly complex geopolitical situation, we in Hong Kong should understand the importance of national security." On the eve of the National Security Education Day, Mak Meijuan, Secretary for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, bluntly said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from the China News Agency that national security education is "imminent." Photo by Liu Dawei, reporter of China News Agency

April 4 this year is the third national security education day after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. To this end, the NSB will hold more than 15 events in 20 districts across Hong Kong. "These activities cover stage plays, speeches, exhibitions, etc., hoping to raise the national security awareness of Hong Kong citizens, especially Hong Kong youth, through different forms, so that they can understand the importance of national security to the HKSAR and the country." Mai Meijuan introduced.

In her view, Hong Kong is now opening a new chapter of governance and prosperity, and one of the goals of the Mingya at this stage is to cultivate Hong Kong youth to become a new generation with an international perspective who love the motherland and Hong Kong. National security education also requires efforts to cultivate a stronger national identity from young people. "The HKSAR Government has always paid attention to youth development, and the inclusion of 'youth' in the name of the Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau is a testament to the importance of youth work."

In December last year, the HKSAR Government launched the Youth Development Blueprint, which proposes more than 12 measures to assist Hong Kong youth aged 160 to 12 in their development. Among them, "Exploration" is devoted to how to strengthen national and national security education among young people, educate young people to deeply understand, respect and safeguard the Constitution and the Basic Law, and correctly understand the relationship between Hong Kong and the state under the "one country, two systems" principle. In response to the blueprint, Ms Mak said that this year, the NSB will collaborate with different youth organisations in the 39 districts of Hong Kong to organise corresponding activities for young people to further understand the importance of national security.

In many different areas of youth work, Mak Meijuan pays special attention to cultivating young people's sense of pride and ownership of the Chinese nation, and hopes that young people will have a sense of commitment and participation in Hong Kong society. Based on this concept, Mai Meijuan believes that more platforms and channels should be established to help young people serve the community, society and the country.

She revealed that the China Youth Bureau will use platforms such as the Youth Development Committee to promote Hong Kong youths to go to different cities in the Mainland for exchange and internship, so as to gain a deeper understanding of national development, so as to enhance their personal identity and cultivate national pride. The NSB will also set up "Youth Community Building Committees" and "District Youth Development and Civic Education Committees" in the 18 districts of Hong Kong to allow young people to participate in the construction of their communities and have the opportunity to express their views.

Mak Meijuan said that as the Policy Bureau responsible for the promotion of civic education outside schools, the Mingya also cooperates with the Hong Kong Council on the Education of Civic Education to organize different forms of activities to encourage the public, especially young people, to understand the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law. In the recently concluded Basic Law Q&A Contest, more than 3,2 citizens signed up, breaking the previous record number of participants. "We have also observed that Hong Kong citizens are not only highly enthusiastic about participating in the competition, but also have a growing understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law."

"In fact, in recent years, the HKSAR Government has done a lot of effective work in enhancing and creating an atmosphere for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and enhancing public awareness of national security." Ms Mak said that with the participation of more and more different sectors of society, Hong Kong citizens, especially young people, are bound to have a deeper understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong National Security Law. (End)